Les Pauls - any years to avoid?

benhenny · December 10th, 2005, 01:18 PM

I've heard that the 70s wasn't too good for Gibson. Any other years I should avoid buying?

marshallmelloman · December 10th, 2005, 01:56 PM

The guitars they are making now are really good, especially the high $ historic stuff. It's a big chunk of change, but if you buy one used at a fair price and take care of it it wont ever be worth less.

photoweborama · December 10th, 2005, 02:05 PM

yes, the 70's, or Norlin era LP's. but I had a couple come through my hands for eBay sales, and I liked them very much. a 78 natural top was my favorite.

It got shipped to Beijing.... and still brought in $1800.00

Joe-Bob · December 10th, 2005, 03:09 PM

:evil: You can't just throw a blanket over them like that.

Because of Gibson's habitually irregular and undependable level of quality control, you have to examine each individual instrument on a case-by-case basis. I've seen quite a few new historic models that I would refuse to own, and I had a 74 LP Custom that was amazing. It may take time, but go find your particular Les Paul. Don't worry about when or where it was made; when you find the right guitar you'll know it.

Chris S. · December 10th, 2005, 03:43 PM

What? Nobody's gonna pipe up with "1952 and later"... ? C'mon, somebody's gotta say it. Hee. ;-)

(Completely kidding, btw... I've owned and enjoyed a number of LPs.) :-) I do agree with JoeBob about not generalizing too much about certain eras – I've played good (and not-so-good) ones from various decades. All IMO, of course. – CS

David Barnett · December 10th, 2005, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris S.

What? Nobody's gonna pipe up with "1952 and later"... ? C'mon, somebody's gotta say it. Hee. ;-)

I would've if you hadn't beat me to it... :)

WickedGTR · December 10th, 2005, 04:16 PM

I was going to say post 1900 in case there were some early prototypes....

photoweborama · December 10th, 2005, 04:49 PM

One thing about the Norlin's, they were HEAVY.

Some had pancake bodies, and three piece maple necks that added pound to them.

TDPRI · December 10th, 2005, 08:29 PM

I'd skip most of the 70's myself. But in the early 80's they made their first "reissues" of the 59 Sunburst. They're heavy but they are affordable and probably the best ones until the current batch.

Look for the Heritage 80 series in '80 to '82. They made Heritage 80's, Heritage Elites and Herritage Awards.

You can get a 1981 Heritage 80 for about $2000 sometimes less if they aren't a great Sunburst top. So, you're buying a good LP that is 24 years old and not spending a fortune. You gotta make sure they have the Tim Shaw pickups thoough. These were again reissues of the 59 pickups and not too shabby at that. But be careful, folks like to sell the pickups separately to make extra money so a good deal on a Heritage 80 might not include "Shaw Pickups."

Here's my Heritage Award (No 10 of 50)

Good Luck
Paul Green

Paul Green

Paul in Colorado · December 11th, 2005, 01:10 AM

I agree with Paul about the Heritage Series LP's. I had a Heritage 80 Standard that was a real sweet LP. I sold it to finance a Historic '56 "stinger" quilt top in faded sunburst. Gotta have P-90's. I've played some '70's LP's that were really nice. You have to wade through a bunch of them until you find the one that sings in your hands. It's kind of like dating. And there are fewer awkward moments if it doesn't work out. 8)

David Barnett · December 11th, 2005, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris S.

What? Nobody's gonna pipe up with "1952 and later"... ? C'mon, somebody's gotta say it. Hee. ;-)

(Completely kidding, btw... I've owned and enjoyed a number of LPs.) :-) I do agree with JoeBob about not generalizing too much about certain eras – I've played good (and not-so-good) ones from various decades. All IMO, of course. – CS

Okay - I'd avoid any Les Paul made before 1961 or after 1968.

:)

Colo Springs E · December 11th, 2005, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by webmaster

Look for the Heritage 80 series in '80 to '82. They made Heritage 80's, Heritage Elites and Herritage Awards.

You can get a 1981 Heritage 80 for about $2000 sometimes less if they aren't a great Sunburst top.

Here's my Heritage Award (No 10 of 50)

That is sweet, good lookin' LP!

Stubbs · December 11th, 2005, 10:13 AM

The 70's stuff can be really spotty on quality. But the really bad stuff is when they first moved production to Nashville from Kalamazoo, new factory, new work force= poor quality.

Check out The Heritage (brand). They make a Les Paul "copy" that is outstanding. They are made in the old Gibson factory by old Gibson employees, some started with Gibson in the late fifties and started their own company when Gibson left in 84.

franchelB · December 11th, 2005, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe-Bob

:evil: You can't just throw a blanket over them like that.

Because of Gibson's habitually irregular and undependable level of quality control, you have to examine each individual instrument on a case-by-case basis.... It may take time, but go find your particular Les Paul. Don't worry about when or where it was made; when you find the right guitar you'll know it.

And I don't worry about what the others say...I'm using my '74 at the moment, and she still gets all the compliments, such as:
"Is that a Les Paul? A Gibson Les Paul?? D*m^ thing sounds SWEET!" 8)
All I know is I don't believe it's from my playing.

Fred Garvin · December 11th, 2005, 11:39 AM

I own two Les Pauls from 'the dreaded Norlin era' and both of them are quality instruments. Fine guitars.

Michael · December 11th, 2005, 04:08 PM

... and get perhaps the best constructed guitar you can find at a reasonable price. I own a Monaco Superpro ( in addition to my Tele and JV Strat), and I found it the equal or superior of anything the Gibson traveling van had to offer when it was in my area. If a Les Paul is what you really want, by all means scoop one up, you'll never be disappointed. I played `57, `58, and `59 reissues and they were all very nice guitars. I also played a bunch of semi hollows, and they too were nice. When it came down to it though, I was more impressed with the Hamer. I could have spent way more (well actually, no I couldn't!) on any of the high end Gibsons and not gotten a better guitar than I did. My Hamer was custom ordered, and I got it in about 8 or 10 weeks. I ordered a custom Heritage some years back that took 2 years to get, AND it wasn't built to my specs. Good luck whichever way you lean; if it doesn't have to be a Gibson, you might be surprised at the other high quality instruments out there.

December 10th, 2005, 01:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
benhenny Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 196	Les Pauls - any years to avoid? I've heard that the 70s wasn't too good for Gibson. Any other years I should avoid buying?

December 10th, 2005, 03:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
Joe-Bob Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Dallas, Texas Age: 46 Posts: 3,876	:evil: You can't just throw a blanket over them like that. Because of Gibson's habitually irregular and undependable level of quality control, you have to examine each individual instrument on a case-by-case basis. I've seen quite a few new historic models that I would refuse to own, and I had a 74 LP Custom that was amazing. It may take time, but go find your particular Les Paul. Don't worry about when or where it was made; when you find the right guitar you'll know it. __________________ Music is the language of God.

December 10th, 2005, 03:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
Chris S. Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Near TELE-Town (Wash. DC) Posts: 2,888 7 Photos	What? Nobody's gonna pipe up with "1952 and later"... ? C'mon, somebody's gotta say it. Hee. ;-) (Completely kidding, btw... I've owned and enjoyed a number of LPs.) :-) I do agree with JoeBob about not generalizing too much about certain eras – I've played good (and not-so-good) ones from various decades. All IMO, of course. – CS __________________ "I go online sometimes, but everyone's spelling is really bad. It's depressing." – Tara, from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" "It was born at the junction of form and function." – Bill Kirchen, from "Hammer of the Honky-Tonk Gods"

December 10th, 2005, 04:16 PM	#7 (permalink)
WickedGTR Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Hillbilly Hollywood Posts: 2,127 4 Photos	I was going to say post 1900 in case there were some early prototypes.... __________________ http://www.myspace.com/jameswilsey

December 11th, 2005, 04:08 PM	#16 (permalink)
Michael Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The Sunny Side of the Street Posts: 531	Or, you could buy a Hamer... ... and get perhaps the best constructed guitar you can find at a reasonable price. I own a Monaco Superpro ( in addition to my Tele and JV Strat), and I found it the equal or superior of anything the Gibson traveling van had to offer when it was in my area. If a Les Paul is what you really want, by all means scoop one up, you'll never be disappointed. I played `57, `58, and `59 reissues and they were all very nice guitars. I also played a bunch of semi hollows, and they too were nice. When it came down to it though, I was more impressed with the Hamer. I could have spent way more (well actually, no I couldn't!) on any of the high end Gibsons and not gotten a better guitar than I did. My Hamer was custom ordered, and I got it in about 8 or 10 weeks. I ordered a custom Heritage some years back that took 2 years to get, AND it wasn't built to my specs. Good luck whichever way you lean; if it doesn't have to be a Gibson, you might be surprised at the other high quality instruments out there. __________________ "Help thy brother's boat across, and lo! Thine own has reached the shore".

December 10th, 2005, 01:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
marshallmelloman Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 547	The guitars they are making now are really good, especially the high $ historic stuff. It's a big chunk of change, but if you buy one used at a fair price and take care of it it wont ever be worth less.

December 10th, 2005, 02:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
photoweborama Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Age: 50 Posts: 1,498 15 Photos	yes, the 70's, or Norlin era LP's. but I had a couple come through my hands for eBay sales, and I liked them very much. a 78 natural top was my favorite. It got shipped to Beijing.... and still brought in $1800.00

December 10th, 2005, 04:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
photoweborama Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Age: 50 Posts: 1,498 15 Photos	One thing about the Norlin's, they were HEAVY. Some had pancake bodies, and three piece maple necks that added pound to them.

December 10th, 2005, 08:29 PM	#9 (permalink)
TDPRI Administrator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: TDPRILAND Posts: 5,562 36 Photos	I'd skip most of the 70's myself. But in the early 80's they made their first "reissues" of the 59 Sunburst. They're heavy but they are affordable and probably the best ones until the current batch. Look for the Heritage 80 series in '80 to '82. They made Heritage 80's, Heritage Elites and Herritage Awards. You can get a 1981 Heritage 80 for about $2000 sometimes less if they aren't a great Sunburst top. So, you're buying a good LP that is 24 years old and not spending a fortune. You gotta make sure they have the Tim Shaw pickups thoough. These were again reissues of the 59 pickups and not too shabby at that. But be careful, folks like to sell the pickups separately to make extra money so a good deal on a Heritage 80 might not include "Shaw Pickups." Here's my Heritage Award (No 10 of 50) Good Luck Paul Green Paul Green

December 11th, 2005, 01:10 AM	#10 (permalink)
Paul in Colorado Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fort Collins, CO Age: 55 Posts: 4,318 3 Photos	I agree with Paul about the Heritage Series LP's. I had a Heritage 80 Standard that was a real sweet LP. I sold it to finance a Historic '56 "stinger" quilt top in faded sunburst. Gotta have P-90's. I've played some '70's LP's that were really nice. You have to wade through a bunch of them until you find the one that sings in your hands. It's kind of like dating. And there are fewer awkward moments if it doesn't work out. 8)

December 11th, 2005, 10:13 AM	#13 (permalink)
Stubbs Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 207	The 70's stuff can be really spotty on quality. But the really bad stuff is when they first moved production to Nashville from Kalamazoo, new factory, new work force= poor quality. Check out The Heritage (brand). They make a Les Paul "copy" that is outstanding. They are made in the old Gibson factory by old Gibson employees, some started with Gibson in the late fifties and started their own company when Gibson left in 84.

December 11th, 2005, 11:39 AM	#15 (permalink)
Fred Garvin TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: USA Posts: 55	I own two Les Pauls from 'the dreaded Norlin era' and both of them are quality instruments. Fine guitars.